Congratulations to Eagle Scout Ricky Newell for attaining the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout and also earning 43 merit badges, double what is required of an Eagle Scout. His scout leader, his mother and all members of Troop 5280 are so deserving of front-page recognition. He is an amazing young man in that he is also musically talented, playing piano, cello, guitar and drums.

Keep up the good work, Ricky. Your accomplishments in attaining a goal may lead other young men to follow your example and not give up. God bless you.

Helen Hackett, Aurora

This letter was published in the Oct. 3 edition.

What a surprise to unfold my Saturday paper and find a color photo with a lengthy story on the front page about a 15-year-old kid who deals with extraordinary challenges in life, and who has just earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Now that’s front-page news! Heartiest congratulations to Ricky Newell on his achievement, and to those who paved the path to help make this happen. All of you can stand proudly.

Tom McIntosh, Aurora

This letter was published in the Oct. 3 edition.

Thank you for that uplifting article describing the inclusive mission of the Boy Scouts of America. Fifteen-year-old Ricky Newell received his Eagle Scout medal despite many challenges: a cognitive-developmental disability, partial hearing loss and attention-deficit disorder.

It’s a good thing he isn’t openly gay. Instead of 43 merit badges and an Eagle Scout medal, the Boy Scouts of America would have given him the boot.

Nate A. Miller, Greeley

This letter was published in the Oct. 3 edition.

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Your article’s criticism of Apple’s new iOS map software when being used in Denver is correct, as far as it goes, but misleads the reader into thinking that the strange results are unique.

Yes, on the new iPhone maps, if you zoom out to show the entire Denver metropolitan area and search for “airport,” the location pin that gets named is for the old Stapleton airport. But every airport in the area gets a pin, including DIA.

Meanwhile, on an original iPhone drawing data from the venerable Google maps, it’s Centennial airport that gets the named pin, and DIA gets no pin at all! In addition, if I search for the airport code “DEN” on the new phone, I get zoomed right to DIA, while the old Google version takes me directly to … Cisco’s Den in Aurora. A search for “Denver International Airport” again goes right to DIA on the new phone, while the old software still doesn’t find DIA directly. Sadly, a search for “DIA” doesn’t get one to DIA on either phone, but instead a bunch of businesses in the vicinity of the airport.

Apple clearly hasn’t hit a home run with its new maps app, but The Post’s coverage clearly could be more objective rather than taking the easy route and piling on.

Jack Sheinbaum, Aurora

This letter was published in the Oct. 3 edition.

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Why do we allow a fast-food approach for electing our highest public servants? On one hand we have a “Big Mac.” On the other hand we have a “Whopper.” They’ve been beefed up, grilled, wrapped up, bagged up and then tossed to the public over and over and over again until our hearts and minds are clogged with predictable, prescribed, political rhetoric. The amount of time, energy and money that is spent indulging in these moronically promoted popularity contests is clearly shameful and such a waste. How would I do things differently?

Unfortunately, I don’t know. But certainly there are intelligent, concerned and courageous people amongst us, who are in a position to take a closer look at how our election processes are or are not adequately functioning, and take action to make much-needed improvements.

Katherine Ross, Lakewood

This letter was published in the Oct. 3 edition.

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As a resident of Northern Colorado, I strongly disagree with your opinion that the Park Service has adequately reviewed the benefit of wolf reintroduction to control elk numbers in Rocky Mountain National Park. The recovery programs in Idaho and Montana were successful until the wolf was delisted due to political pressure from the ranching industry. Wolves account for less than 1 percent of livestock losses, which is insignificant compared to ecosystem benefits and the millions of dollars gained from tourism. With the extreme number of wolves killed in Idaho and Montana last year, and with Wyoming about to commence its own wolf hunt, we need Colorado to restore wolves now more than ever. Colorado and the Southern Rockies ecosystem have no wolves, and our ecosystems and biological diversity are impoverished for it. Colorado, moreover, serves at the bridge between Mexican wolves in the desert Southwest and gray wolves in the Northern Rockies. The state needs to consider the economic benefit of restoring wolves and should join with the Park Service to support a reintroduction program that could start in Rocky Mountain.

Thomas Gootz, Estes Park

This letter was published in the Oct. 3 edition.

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I would like to express my gratitude to Gary Valerio of the Metro Wastewater Reclamation District. The Denver Post’s article describing his work to remove large concrete chunks from our city’s sewer system was very enlightening.

I heard that the NFL referees who were locked out make $150,000 per year — to referee football games once a week for a few months out of the year! And then there is Mr. Valerio, performing real work that benefits the public health of our entire city. I wonder if he earns that much for the work he does five days a week, 50 weeks a year. Probably not, but next time I pay my wastewater bill, I will say: “Thank you, Mr. Valerio and Metro Wastewater.”

Margaret Sobocinski, Denver

This letter was published in the Oct. 3 edition.

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Guidelines: The Post welcomes letters up to 150 words on topics of general interest. Letters must include full name, home address, day and evening phone numbers, and may be edited for length, grammar and accuracy.

To reach the Denver Post editorial page by phone: 303-954-1331

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